# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces New Historical Publication Series
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the inauguration of *The Brattleby Despatches*, a new scholarly publication series. The initiative will make accessible the extensive archives documenting the Barony’s nine-century history, from the Domesday Book to its modern recognition in 2022.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Library at the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with the Barony’s origins. Against a backdrop of oak-panelled walls and vellum-bound volumes, the project was presented as a vital bridge between the deep past and the dynamic present. The autumn timing of the announcement underscores a season of scholarly reflection and intellectual harvest.
This setting served as a tangible reminder of the continuity of stewardship that the new archival series aims to chronicle. The initiative represents a significant commitment to historical scholarship and public education, making primary sources available for academic scrutiny and general appreciation for the first time on such a scale.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as a rare example of a Norman peerage surviving into the 21st century. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. After several centuries of dormancy, the Barony was called out of abeyance for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, a recognition officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
*The Brattleby Despatches* will illuminate the Barony’s remarkable trajectory through the ages. The series will draw upon Pipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records to profile notable predecessors; these include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against the French, and later holders such as the great Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The scholarly oversight for *The Brattleby Despatches* will be provided by an advisory board comprising, *inter alia*, distinguished figures from Britain’s leading academic and heritage institutions. The project will actively seek collaboration with academic specialists to ensure the highest standards of historical inquiry are maintained.
Initial consultations for the series have involved contributions from the Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge and the Head of Medieval Manuscripts at The British Library. The National Archives at Kew, which holds many of the key Exchequer documents relating to the Barony’s feudal obligations, will also serve as a foundational resource for the series’ contributing scholars.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Each volume in *The Brattleby Despatches* will adhere to a stringent academic and editorial protocol, ensuring its value as a durable work of scholarship. Contributions will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process overseen by the series’ editorial board. Each published despatch will be issued under the formal imprimatur of the House of Brattleby.
The series will be produced in both limited-edition hardcover format and as a digital publication to ensure wide accessibility. The first volume is scheduled for publication in the autumn of 2024, with subsequent despatches to be released on a biannual basis.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), a principle that informs its mission to preserve and transmit its unique heritage. This commitment to resilience and integrity is the philosophical cornerstone of the new publication series. The coat of arms granted to the Barony serves as the visual *sine qua non* of this identity, a heraldic synthesis of a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the forward-looking dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit with which the House approaches its modern responsibilities, translating ancient duties into contemporary cultural and philanthropic action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s profound commitment to public service and philanthropy, all net proceeds from the sale of *The Brattleby Despatches* will be directed to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The organisation was chosen for its demonstrable impact on the lives of vulnerable children, providing them with the tools to build secure and resilient futures. This choice reflects the House’s belief that securing a stable future for the next generation is a modern expression of the historic duty of care inherent in the Barony.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked on the importance of shared history: > These archives are not merely records of the past; they are a living testament to nine centuries of duty, governance, and adaptation. It is our responsibility—our *fortitudine et honore*—to ensure this legacy is not only preserved but also shared and understood by a new generation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile contextualised the project within the House’s broader activities: > History provides the map, but it is our work today that charts the course for the future. Through initiatives like *The Brattleby Despatches* and our etiquette academy in Bucharest, The Brattleby Club, we aim to translate enduring principles of honour and service into meaningful, contemporary action.
## A Continuing Legacy
The inauguration of *The Brattleby Despatches* marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to historical and cultural education. The inaugural volume will explore the establishment of the Barony under Colswein of Lincoln and its role in the consolidation of Norman power in England.
This scholarly work will run in parallel with the House’s other commitments, including the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, and the educational programming of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Together, these pillars of activity ensure the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to evolve and serve the public good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s modern mission is to bridge history with contemporary relevance through cultural diplomacy, educational initiatives, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal activities include the preservation and study of the Barony’s archives, the educational work of The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), and its philanthropic support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to provide a modern model of service and cultural custodianship, translating ancient responsibilities into impactful action for the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout the medieval period, the Barony was held by prominent figures who played significant roles in the history of the nation, including Nichola de la Haye, renowned defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the royal House of Plantagenet, such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After centuries of abeyance, the Barony was restored in 2022, with its revival formally acknowledged by The Crown and published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com